VCE Drama

UNIT 1

Students create and perform an ensemble performance inspired by social, historical, and cultural contexts. They work collaboratively to produce a professional quality performance, developing characters, stories, and ideas from stimulus material. They learn how drama has been used to tell stories, share traditions, and express ideas beyond everyday life. Students also reflect on their creative process and analyse both their work and that of professional performers. They will attend a live professional performance and break down artistic choices of cast and creatives. This unit will allow students to develop their understanding of performance styles and the collaborative process of devising original theatre. 

UNIT 2

Students continue to build their understanding of performance styles and the play-making process by devising a solo performance exploring Australian contexts. They will learn to develop independence as performers, honing their craft and experimenting with a range of characters and techniques from prescribed structures. Students will analyse and justify their choices, focusing particularly on their application of symbol and meaning. Their written analysis will highlight Australian stories through the viewing of another professional performance. This performance should explore aspects of the Australian identity, including First Nations, migrant, and refugee experiences. 

UNIT 3

Students collaborate to create an original ensemble performance inspired by contemporary and traditional drama practices. They explore a diverse range of performance styles, using stimulus material to devise meaningful and professional quality theatre. Students experiment with the eclectic style of theatre, applying a variety of conventions to affect audiences in specific and intentional ways. As part of the course, students also attend and critically analyse a professional performance from a prescribed list. This unit will refine students’ ability to devise original work collaboratively and apply professional creative choices to their own performances. 

UNIT 4

Students develop and perform their own original solo pieces, drawing on a range of performance styles and characters from prescribed structures. Using stimulus material, they learn how to shape creative ideas into powerful solo performances that are presented to a panel of external assessors. Students work independently to explore eclectic theatre practices and hone their ability to apply expressive and performance skills to characters. They also learn how production elements like lighting, costume, and sound can enhance storytelling. Students will analyse and justify their choices as a performer, ensuring that the symbolic meaning of their performance is effectively conveyed.